The Palace on Monday advised the public to brace for tropical depression “Amang,” which is heading towards the Leyte-Samar area, according to weather forecasts.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo asked the public, especially those expected to be affected, to stay safe by coordinating with local government agencies and monitoring weather advisories.
“We ask the public, especially residents who will be affected, to stay vigilant, monitor the latest weather advisory in their respective areas through government stations and social media accounts, and coordinate with their local disaster and risk reduction management offices for the appropriate and responsive action,” Panelo said in a statement.
Panelo said all the concerned government agencies were on standby in preparation for Amang.
Citing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Panelo said a total of 2,678 families (11,153 persons) were preemptively evacuated in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Eastern Samar, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
Panelo also said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already positioned a total of 2,500 family food packs amounting to P912,750 for those who may need it. With PNA
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Amang will bring moderate to heavy rains over Eastern and Central Visayas, and the Bicol Region.
As of 5 p.m., Amang was estimated at 105 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar.
Packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph, it was moving north at 10 kph.
Tropical cyclone warning signal no. 1 remained in effect over Sorsogon; Masbate, including Ticao Island; Northern Samar; Eastern Samar; Samar; Biliran, and Leyte.
Amang made landfall in Siargao Island on Sunday at 8 p.m.
According to the weather bureau, Amang had slightly slowed down over the eastern seaboard of Eastern Samar.
It issued a flood warning in Eastern Visayas provinces as the tropical depression threatens to dump heavy rains over the area.
In its flood advisory, the weather bureau identified several rivers in six provinces that would likely be affected by the heavy downpour.
These water courses are in Sangputan, Palo, Solano, Daguitan, Marabong, Cadacan, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbanagaran, Pagsangahan, and Binahaan in Leyte; and Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mano, and Gamay in Northern Samar.
Other affected rivers are Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorento, Balangiga, and Sulat in Eastern Samar; Basey, Silaga, Calbiga and Jibatan in Samar; and Bisay, Himbangan, and Pandan in Southern Leyte; and all river systems in Biliran province.
People living in low-lying areas near these river systems are advised to be on alert for possible flash floods. Those settled near mountain slopes were told to watch out for signs of landslides.
Several local government units in Eastern Visayas on Monday suspended classes as Amang threatened to cross Leyte and Samar provinces.
In the regional capital, Mayor Cristina Romualdez issued the class suspension order Sunday night to ensure the safety of students. The region’s most populated schools are located in the city.
Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla has declared the suspension of classes in all levels in the entire province. Mayors of several towns in Leyte and Ormoc City also issued similar executive orders.
In Northern Samar, Vice Governor Gary Lavin declared the suspension of classes in the entire province for elementary and secondary schools as a precautionary measure.
Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado also cancelled classes from kindergarten to senior high school in the entire province.
Class suspensions were also ordered in Calbayog City, Catbalogan City, Sta. Rita, Hinabangan, Villareal, Marabut, Daram, Sta. Margarita, Paranas, and Gandara in Samar province; Biliran Almeria, Kawayan, Naval, and Culaba in Biliran province; San Julian, Borongan City, Can-avid, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; and Maasin City in Southern Leyte. With PNA